Late start in South Texas

I'm working with my 75 yr. old mother-in-law in the garden. I work full time, and she can't get around very well. It's been a challenge, but we love our garden no matter what.

We've done well in some areas. We had an oval bed last year about 8' x 10' which did well. Mostly grew tomatoes and a few peppers, herbs apparently just for decoration (lol). Anyway... we have been faithful about our compost 'pile' for the past two years, but didn't turn it over much. Hmmm, well it's kind of paid off. A year ago, we had a peach sprout up. We now have a peach TREE about 5' tall! Didn't see any blooms on it though--might need a male or female (?)

This year our compost "pile" has yielded us... more than 1/2 dozen tomato plants, 3-4 squash, 2 canteloupe, 2 different kinds of potatoes, and a watermelon! And I'm probably forgetting 2 or 3 at least!

NOW ... we've gotten excited. We've bought 2 cool tomato plants (look to be heirloom, although the seller didn't know), some eggplant, okra, peppers (5 varieties), cucumbers, and some herbs.

We want to move the compost bonuses to a real bed, or hey even ROWS! so I'm going to rent a tiller this weekend (yes, June 2nd & 3rd). Are we crazy?

In addition to moving the extras from the compost pile, we want to try to grow some green beans (from seed, if possible), maybe some green onions, and I don't know what else.

It gets really hot in south texas, but... we are surrounded by woods. We have a LOT of trees, even if most are NOT directly over our garden.

Whadaya think?

Sounds like a PLAN to me!

Hi Cajun2,
I think I'd leave everything but the tomatoes where they are. Those li'l fellers do NOT like to be transplanted, as I learned the hard way. Yes, I had been told not to try to move them, but did I listen? Nooooo, I was sure I could do it. Wrong, and I felt badly. They had been perfectly happy where they were.
The tomatoes will probably be okay, if they're small enough, and haven't developed much of a root system to be damaged. One thing about your curcubit volunteers, you may be surprised what you get, if these were from things you grew yourself:) Some of them cross easily, and even supermarket varieties may be (and probably are) hybrids. I'd grow them out, but then, I like to experiment...:)
I'm interested in your tomato varieties as well, I'm surprised that the vendor didn't know what he was selling. What characteristics do you find indicate an Heirloom variety? I'm always curious as to how different tomato plants can look, but not sure what traits are more common in Heirlooms. Maybe being potato leafed would be one, but I really don't know:)
Margo

Thanks, guys! We're going to forge ahead. Actually getting excited about renting the tiller Saturday morning--early! LOL They're forecasting 90 degree temps, but hey... I'm a gardener! I can take it!! It'll SO be worth it!

I think you're right about leaving the volunteers where they are. They're happy. We'll just move our compost pile. Thinking seriously about making it a formal one anyway, with the nice wire "screen" and all. We'll see. But with everything having blooms... not a good idea to move them.

Asked the DH what he really wants out of the garden... he's so easy to please--God love him! Tomatoes, peppers, onions, beans and greens. Dear man! We're gonna start with a row each of scarlet runner beands and green beans, and go from there.

As for the heirloom tomatoes... hmmm, I need to get a picture tomorrow evening so you can see. HEB had a bin of a variety of heirloom tomatoes. I picked up a few just for the seeds. The plant I'm referring to isn't one of these, but looks just like one I most admired. I'm lovin it! The plant itself looks fairly common, but the small green tomatoes are formed almost identical. Make sense?

Anyway.... If you guys are the least bit interested, I'll keep you posted on our late start progress :-))

Hey Cajun2,
I love to hear peoples garden stories, so keep posting! I'm jealous that you can rent a tiller, I'm not finding anyplace around here that will do so. I have room for corn and okra, but this clay is just too hard to hand dig. Even the tractor has trouble with it :(.
Good luck, and don't forget to update!
Margo

Hey, Margo... have you ever used a garden claw? or a garden weasel? I've had tremendous success with these two inexpensive tools. I won't garden without them! Seriously!

I have started many a garden from NOTHING--hard, dry dirt or weeds over nuttin' and turned out fabulous soil. My friends, when I moved, asked me not for plants but for my SOIL!

We are renting our tiller from Sunbelt Rentals, but here they also are located near (and in conjunction with) Lowe's. You might ask... I dunno how close a Lowe's or Home Depot is from you, but it's worth a try.

I'm like a kid on Christmas Eve here. We rent our tiller in the morning! whoohoo!!

Hi Cajun,
I have a Weasel, and a HoundDog (which is basically a hand-held claw). The clay laughs at them :). I get it pounded in, and then, well, not much movement is possible. I'm gardening in hay bales this year, and it's working very well. I'll get someone to take a tractor to that spot in the fall, and till all the decomposed bales into the clay, which should help for next year.
The Home Depot near me doesn't rent tillers, and neither does Ace, or the tractor dealers that sell them :(. The tractor dealer said they just didn't get returned. I'd love to buy one, but it isn't in the budget just yet.
Have a wonderful time, I'll be planting the last of my tomato plants today, and hope that the forecaster rain will help them establish.
Margo